University of Wisconsin fan at my workplace was trying to talk me into buying some bratwursts online from WI. He knew I was a Michigan fan (obv.) and asked me if I read "that crazy MGO Michigan blog". I still am thankful for meeting that sausage lover! No I didn't partake in the online meat

Sure I'll be sad that we aren't getting the 5* recruits any more, and perhaps the talent will take longer to develop. However, I just can't get on the "pay these kids" bandwagon. College is expensive, so is room & board, as well as the training facilities, etc. The entitlement culture could certainly ruin college football. I'm glad this is they tone set by the Big Ten commisioner.

Hockey and Baseball are the two sports that come to my mind regarding kids being drafted out of high school and having the ability to choose to go to college or sign with a semi-pro team that will get them ready for the big leagues. Basketball is still trying to find its way... I suspect Football will probably be like Basketball is today in 5 years.

My only worry is that I'll have to purchase the one day GamePlan showing of the Michigan game for $35 anyway. I know that Pro sports are usually blacked out on these Sports Pack channels, though "some" college games are available regardless. I'll see how it shakes out on Saturday.

I was going to purchase the Sports Pack anyway since the Red Wings season has started. I always record the replays of the games (again, live games are blacked out) and only watch them if the Wings won.

While I have the Ultimate package, it does not include ABC East (I live in Phoenix and due to law I cannot view that channel since I have a local ABC channel). Therefore, I added the Sports Pack Premium Channels... that way I not only get to watch Michigan defeat Conneticut, I also get to watch the rebroadcast of Red Wings games on Fox Sports Detroit. WOO, my favoirte time of year! I love having DirecTV.

If you are releasing guys downfield before the punt is away, then they aren't back there blocking for your punter.

No matter how your guys line up (old school or new school), they need to block until they hear the thump from the punters foot and then stay in their lanes down the field to make the tackle. Don't do that... you are asking for it.

In your diagram above, I think that looks about right. It seems to me that it would be much more leathal if Funchess does indeed release downfield as a receiver. If the SAM crashes down in an attempt to tackle Fitz, then the next time you run this play you can instead use play action (believing the SAM will crash down again). If he realizes the ball was not handed to Fitz then perhaps Gardner can shake him and run for yardage, or if he does follow Funch or Fitz, Gardner could hit a different receiver or run. The way M was running that play gives you multiple ways to attack the defense.

During the ND game I was wondering about blocking assignments as well. I'm no expert, but I feel like Miller is a mobile lineman, why not move him around the two guards more?. I felt like the guards stood up OK when blocking Nix straight up. When they ran those outside zone runs, Nix would just hop in Miller's back pocket and crash through his gap. Especially at the end of the game when they ran the ball left twice in a row... Nix got two TFLs. It seemed impossible to me that Kalis was going to be able to manuever around Nix even with help from Miller. Why not have Glasgow crack back to the right on Nix and pull Miller around to pick up one of those blitzing LBs? Doesn't matter since Gardner was able to run for the 1st to seal the game.

I recall Lloyd Carr mentioning something about Garret Rivas not getting the ball up high enough for his kicks, resulting in blocks early in his career. Sure, blocking is a huge part of kicking, but it is that way for all facets of football. You can have a wide open hole and a running back will still run into the backs of his OL.

I'm glad that Gibbons has turned it around. I feel confident in our kicking game going into this season. Can't wait for it to begin!!!

Too bad you didn't ask BEFORE your time off. I highly recommend a couple days in Denver/Fort Collins/Boulder. So many breweries. Plenty of outdoor activities. A flight from Phoenix is not bad, and it sure is nice to get out of this heat.

You could always take a trip up north to the mountains to get out of the heat. Hang out in Sedona or Flagstaff if you need city streets and activities. Have you visited Canyon Lake, Saguaro Lake, or Lake Pleasant. I've rented boats out on Lake Pleasant plenty of times.

Since you are sunburnt, I'll skip the hiking spiel. So you are then left with indoor activities. Bowling, movies, try a new restaurant. Some of the museums around here can be entertaining.

As for me, I like beer. I highly recommend taking a cab to a location that has numerous beers on tap. I like the Hungry Monk in Chandler, the guy who runs it is from Livonia I believe. I also like Four Peaks brewery... they always have an interesting food special. Wednesdays they have cask conditioned ale, my favorite. I swear I'm going to get out to Ashley's in Ann Arbor next year.

I wish I had some extra time off. I feel like all I do is work. One of these days I am finally going to get out to Lake Havasu, down to Rocky Point, and out to Monument Valley.

I visited the Tavern at The Lumberyard in Encinitas, CA (North of San Diego) for The Game, 2011. Prices were a bit high, but they play The Victors after touchdowns and the whole bar sings along. It was a great experience, and I would recommend it to other fans. It is an Alumi Association meeting place.

Game was so exciting, I made my upstairs neighbor end up watching the game. That was one hell of a finish.

Thank you Mark May for talking to Borges at half and suggesting "Unleash Denard!!!". Although, I feel as if Denard was always unleashed, it was simply a matter of execution (recievers dropping balls and Denard off the mark). Can't wait for this UFR. That was one hell of a game!!!!